Glaucoma

[Connemmara]

Last year I went to hospital for routine eye test whereby the nurse doing the test said I had funny shaped eyeballs and a bit of pressure behind the eye and sent for the consultant who said they were fine. My yearly appointment was up again about 3 weeks ago and another nurse did a different test looking at dots here and there. She was not in a position to tell me had my eyes deteriorated etc but this morning which I knew was coming have an appointment late in May to go to a glaucoma clinic - called Nurse Led - have googled both glaucoma and nurse led. Would any of you know if I have now the symptoms of glaucoma - just a little worried cos I know none of you would know until I go for this appointment - would just like a wee bit of reassurance. Thanks

[mallyh]

i cant say you have the symptoms as im not qualified but even if you have they will keep a good check on you, my mums had glucoma years and just takes an eyedrop twice a day and regular annual checkups .hope it all turns out well for you x

[LazyGun]

Mostly, Glaucoma is associated with Ocular Hypertension, with in turn can lead to a loss of peripheral vision, which is measured at an Opticians or Clinic using the Visual Field Test, where dots of light are displayed around a board at random and you have to say how many of those dots you see.

So a raised Intra- Ocular Pressure and a diminished visual field are some symptoms which you can find with glaucoma, but does not automatically mean that you have glaucoma.

Attending the nurse-led glaucoma clinic should clarify things much more

[Connemmara]

thanks mallyh - did your mum's eyes deteriorate or remain the same because of taking the drops.

[Connemmara]

When I first read the letter I thought I was seeing a person called Nurse Led - I have never heard of these clinics.

[Mamyalynne]

Conne, be reassured that if you are not currently experiencing any sight issues then Glaucoma has been caught in time, with regular eye drops and check ups you should remain on an even keel.

Mine was diagnosed late (no blame attached) and the damage done is irreversible so am now partially sighted, so well done you for being caught early - always do your eye drops...never miss.

Take care.

[Mamyalynne]

Simply means a Clinic led by a nurse.

[mallyh]

they deteriorated a little but shes 86 and sees well enough to cook do crosswords go out shopping etc to enjoy lifex

[Connemmara]

thanks Mamy - I do wear glasses would that be considered a sight issue. Have been wearing them full time now for about two-three years. Hate them mind you - sometimes if I am out walking the dog I take them off as I feel the ground is going to hit me - so can't see with or without the things.

[mallyh]

i also have been having eye checks free for years as it can run in families

[Connemmara]

Thanks everybody for your answers - must say I feel a good bit better now - never would want my sight to go as I am deaf as well.

[Mamyalynne]

Conne didn't mean to worry you, by sight issues I meant things like loss of peripheral vision, I have worn glasses since age 6 and I ignored the deterioration whilst caring for others thinking I had a cataract - by the time I got round to getting checked, I had acute open angle glaucoma, so stick with the clinic and what they prescribe.

[mallyh]

take care x

[Connemmara]

again thanks for your replies as you can google these things but naturally enough they are not personal answers like you can get on this site.

[Sqad]

Just a guess......from knowing your health history and your age......my bet....you haven't got glaucoma and your eyes are normal.

Just a hunch you understand.

[Connemmara]

oh squad - god bless the hand that reared you - i do know it is a hunch - I understand that.